Jags No. 5, UAB No. 12 on Sagarin's 25 worst FBS teams list

MOBILE, Alabama -- Jeff Sagarin has been producing a college football power ranking for USA Today since 1985. His rankings include all of the Football Bowl Subdivision and Football Championship Subdivision teams, ranked from No. 1 to No. 245. His computer rankings are used as part of the Bowl Championship Series formula for determining its Top 25 rankings.

South Alabama offensive lineman Tremain Smith (57) collects his thoughts after the 33-31 loss to Texas-San Antonio Saturday, Sept. 1, 2012, at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala. The Jags and UTSA are both included in Jeff Sagarin's ranking of the worst 25 FBS teams in the season after three weeks of play. (Press-Register/Mike Kittrell)

This week, in a story titled "Walk of Shame: The Worst 25 FBS schools right now,'' USA Today took the lowest-ranked FBS teams in Sagarin's rankings to create a sort of Bottom 25 for the division.

The ranking includes two state schools, with South Alabama ranked No. 5 and UAB holding down the No. 12 spot.

The Sun Belt Conference didn't fare well in the ranking either, with five of its 10 current teams included in the ranking and one incoming member making the list as well. Florida Atlantic is ranked No. 3, with South Alabama at No. 5, Middle Tennessee at No. 21, Florida International at No. 22 and Arkansas State, the defending Sun Belt champion, at No. 25.

Texas State, which will join the Sun Belt next year, is ranked No. 11. FIU will had to Conference USA next season.

UMass takes the top spot in the poll, which gives it the designation of worst FBS team. Memphis claims the No. 2 spot. Texas-San Antonio, which defeated South Alabama in this year's season-opener, is No. 4, one spot ahead of the Jags.

The remainder of the Top 10, in order is Eastern Michigan, Akron, Tulane, Colorado and New Mexico. Texas State is at 11, followed in order by UAB, Central Michigan, Idaho, UNLV, Colorado State, Buffalo, Kent State, Army and New Mexico State. The final five slots go to Middle Tennessee at 21, followed by FIU, Miami of Ohio, Houston and Arkansas State.